First One Hundred Years, The (CBS 1950-1952, James Lydon, Olive Stacey)

The First One Hundred Years was the very first CBS soap was this one, shown weekdays at 2.30pm between the 4 December 1950 and 27 June 1952. It was about a newly married couple moving into a run down three story Victorian house.

The couple, Chris and Connie Martin Thayer had to deal with all the usual problems, in-laws interfering, problems with their house, etc. Sponsored by Proctor and Gamble the show was based on a radio serial that ran from 1948 and also a 1950 Silver Theater anthology production.

The series, which went out live, had quite a few location shots (New York-Long Island-Westchester County) inserted. Also notable was the fact that this series saw the first appearance of the teleprompter/autocue, the machine which feeds actors and presenters their lines.

production details
USA / CBS / x15 minute episodes / Broadcast 4 December 1950 – 27 June 1952

cast
JAMES LYDON as Chris Thayer
OLIVE STACEY as Connie Martin Thayer (1950-Jan 52)
ANNE SARGENT as Connie Martin Thayer (Jan – June 1952)
DON TOBIN as Mr Thayer
VALERIE CROSSART as Mrs Thayer
ROBERT ARMSTRONG as Mr Martin
NANA BRYANT as Mrs Martin
NANCY MALONE as Margy Martin